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Understanding Narration of Lace Fabrics
The lace fabric is an open work fabric consisting of a yarn network formed into a complex design. There are two main types of straps: hand made and machine. Although, these two types come with their pros and cons, it's usually difficult to distinguish between them using your naked eye. The easiest way to do this is to use a magnifying glass.
If you see the fabric and the lace do not have a clear path, chances are the engine is made. If on the other side you see the fabric and you see that it has a clear path, most likely handmade especially Lace Lagos Nigeria.
Lace's rich heritage of the first elegant fashion trends can be traced back to the 12th and 13th centuries. From the beginning, many styles and techniques of lace making have been developed. Belgium is often described as "the birthplace of modern lace" and today's lace techniques can still be traced back to traditional lace-making techniques from the Flemish province of Belgium. "Needle Lace", also called "Renaissance or Brussels" Lace, for example is produced in the Aalst region. "Bobbin Lace", is a wonderful specialty of Bruges, a magnificent city in western Belgium. This is a very expensive type of rope to produce; Therefore, they are not manufactured for commercial purposes.
As history says, this beautiful cloth is so influential in society that in some cities in Europe only people above a certain social class are allowed to wear it. The supervisors are positioned at the gates of the city and if someone who does not deserve lace is entering the city, they are ordered to prune it or face it burned. Understanding Narration of Lace Fabrics
Do you know? – the term "straight laced" commonly used for someone who is honest, stems from the fact that European women wear corsets that will lace up front, therefore considered appropriate and dignified.
Use of Lace Fabrics
Cloth has many applications. For example, it is used in decorating clothing and home furniture where narrow ropes are used for trim and inserts. The rope width in Ankara is used for curtains, tablecloths and garments.
Laces are created using different designs. The most common designs are:
All-over laces: these are 36 "wide and they are made in such a way that the pattern spreads across the width of the fabric.The pattern also repeats itself in the length of the fabric.
Flouncing: This is a rope that is 18-36 "wide and comes with a smooth edge at the top.They also come with a scalloped edge at the bottom.The launch is used for wide ruffles.Usually, ruffles are arranged in tiers to form a skirt.
Crawling: this is a lace that is no more than 18 inches, usually straight at the top and teeth on the bottom. Usually sewn on the sides of dresses, clothes, lingerie, blouses or handkerchiefs.
Medallions: lace comes in a design that is applied to the fabric which is the base of the ornament. Lace is usually used in the corner of a towel or napkin. It is used as an ornament for blouse, lingerie or dress. Understanding Narration of Lace Fabrics


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Intro: "The debt deal will hurt the poorest Americans, convinced by Fox and the Tea Party to act against their own welfare."
President Obama leaves the podium after speaking to reporters about the debt deal, 8/02/11. (photo: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)
Anger, Deceit and a Billionaires' Coup
02 August 11
Anger and deceit has led the US into a billionaires' coup. The debt deal will hurt the poorest Americans, convinced by Fox and the Tea Party to act against their own welfare.
here are two ways of cutting a deficit: raising taxes or reducing spending. Raising taxes means taking money from the rich. Cutting spending means taking money from the poor. Not in all cases of course: some taxation is regressive; some state spending takes money from ordinary citizens and gives it to banks, arms companies, oil barons and farmers. But in most cases the state transfers wealth from rich to poor, while tax cuts shift it from poor to rich.
So the rich, in a nominal democracy, have a struggle on their hands. Somehow they must persuade the other 99% to vote against their own interests: to shrink the state, supporting spending cuts rather than tax rises. In the US they appear to be succeeding.
Partly as a result of the Bush tax cuts of 2001, 2003 and 2005 (shamefully extended by Barack Obama), taxation of the wealthy, in Obama's words, "is at its lowest level in half a century." The consequence of such regressive policies is a level of inequality unknown in other developed nations. As the Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz points out, in the past 10 years the income of the top 1% has risen by 18%, while that of blue-collar male workers has fallen by 12%.
The deal being thrashed out in Congress as this article goes to press seeks only to cut state spending. As the former Republican senator Alan Simpson says: "The little guy is going to be cremated." That means more economic decline, which means a bigger deficit. It's insane. But how did it happen?
The immediate reason is that Republican members of Congress supported by the Tea Party movement won't budge. But this explains nothing. The Tea Party movement mostly consists of people who have been harmed by tax cuts for the rich and spending cuts for the poor and middle. Why would they mobilise against their own welfare? You can understand what is happening in Washington only if you remember what everyone seems to have forgotten: how this movement began.
On Sunday the Observer claimed that "the Tea Party rose out of anger over the scale of federal spending, and in particular in bailing out the banks." This is what its members claim. It's nonsense.
The movement started with Rick Santelli's call on CNBC for a tea party of city traders to dump securities in Lake Michigan, in protest at Obama's plan to "subsidise the losers." In other words, it was a demand for a financiers' mobilisation against the bailout of their victims: people losing their homes. On the same day, a group called Americans for Prosperity (AFP) set up a Tea Party Facebook page and started organising Tea Party events. The movement, whose programme is still lavishly supported by AFP, took off from there.
So who or what is Americans for Prosperity? It was founded and is funded by Charles and David Koch. They run what they call "the biggest company you've never heard of", and between them they are worth $43 billion. Koch Industries is a massive oil, gas, minerals, timber and chemicals company. In the past 15 years the brothers have poured at least $85 million into lobby groups arguing for lower taxes for the rich and weaker regulations for industry. The groups and politicians the Kochs fund also lobby to destroy collective bargaining, to stop laws reducing carbon emissions, to stymie healthcare reform and to hobble attempts to control the banks. During the 2010 election cycle, AFP spent $45m supporting its favoured candidates.
But the Kochs' greatest political triumph is the creation of the Tea Party movement. Taki Oldham's film (Astro)Turf Wars shows Tea Party organisers reporting back to David Koch at their 2009 Defending the Dream summit, explaining the events and protests they've started with AFP help. "Five years ago," he tells them, "my brother Charles and I provided the funds to start Americans for Prosperity. It's beyond my wildest dreams how AFP has grown into this enormous organisation."
AFP mobilised the anger of people who found their conditions of life declining, and channelled it into a campaign to make them worse. Tea Party campaigners take to the streets to demand less tax for billionaires and worse health, education and social insurance for themselves.
Are they stupid? No. They have been misled by another instrument of corporate power: the media. The movement has been relentlessly promoted by Fox News, which belongs to a more familiar billionaire. Like the Kochs, Rupert Murdoch aims to misrepresent the democratic choices we face, in order to persuade us to vote against our own interests and in favour of his.
What's taking place in Congress right now is a kind of political coup. A handful of billionaires have shoved a spanner into the legislative process. Through the candidates they have bought and the movement that supports them, they are now breaking and reshaping the system to serve their interests. We knew this once, but now we've forgotten. What hope do we have of resisting a force we won't even see?
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subset: commoncrawl


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Lynyrd Skynyrd, Doobie Brothers Set for 2012 Simple Man Cruise
Lynyrd Skynyrd have signed on host and curate the 2012 Simple Man Cruise, a floating rock 'n' roll party set for Oct. 27-31 on Norwegian Cruise Line's newest luxury liner, the Pearl. The cruise, which sets sail from Miami, will feature about a dozen different bands rocking the ship, including Skynyrd, the Doobie Brothers and up-and-coming Southern rockers like Blackberry Smoke and the Dirty Guv'nahs.
"The infamous Simple Man Cruise isn't stopping at number 5 — we're back and heading into the second half of an amazing decade," reads a promotional note. "The sixth cruise is already promising to be the event of the year with an amazing lineup, a gorgeous ship, and a southern rock family adventure … get ready to cruise through the ocean with four full days of live music on various stages around the ship, and stops at two different party spots in the Caribbean – don't forget your sunscreen!"
Meanwhile, the Doobie Brothers' management has released a statement regarding the status of drummer Michael Hossack and touring bassist Skylark, who have both been sidelined since 2010 due to unrelated health concerns. "Michael Hossack is improving slowly … He's still working on health issues but getting better. We will keep you updated on a regular basis," reads the statement.
"Skylark visited the band at their Las Vegas gig in January," it continues. "They got to hang out and it was a good time. He is improving daily, but is not able to travel or go on tour yet." Thus it is not yet known if either will be able to join the Doobies on the Simple Man Cruise, but it sounds like both of them are making steady, if slow, improvements. Get well soon, Michael and Skylark!


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BERLIN (AP) -- General Motors Co.'s chief executive has told workers at the struggling Opel unit that there are signs the company's effort to turn around its European operation is starting to work.
GM is trying to make its European business profitable after years of losses. Opel said Thursday GM Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson attended an employee meeting at its headquarters in Ruesselsheim, near Frankfurt.
Akerson said GM "needs a strong presence in Europe." It is pinning hopes in part on new models such as the Mokka small SUV and the Adam small car.
Akerson pointed to cost-cutting efforts and said "there are several positive signs that demonstrate that our corporate plan is starting to work." He added that the company is "not counting on a tailwind from the markets."


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Tomato Cage DIY Bird Feeder
Recycle an old tomato cage into a DIY bird feeder that will have you attracting birds for less.
This discarded tomato cage makes a sweet DIY bird feeder! Add a few tin flowers, an arching plant and a colorful dish for birdseed, and you'll soon have a bona fide work of art that's also great for attracting birds.
- Tomato cage
- Plastic pot, soil, and plants
- Plastic bowl or tray
- Metal flowers (optional, see below)
Step-By-Step Instructions:
Step 1
If you already have a location in mind, install your tomato cage there to start. You can either insert the tines into the earth as you would normally (the deeper and more even, the better), or bend the tines outward to form "feet."
Step 2
Measure the circumference of the tomato cage ring that you want to use for holding up your plant. Arrange plants in a plastic pot with a top circumference slightly larger than the ring on the cage. Ease it down into place.
Step 3
Measure the very top ring of the tomato cage for a plastic bowl or tray to rest there, and then scout around for a colorful receptacle that fits your dimensions. Your kitchen, yard sales and thrift stores are great options.
Drop the bowl or tray into the top ring of the cage, and add birdseed. You'll be attracting birds in no time!
Step 4
Want to add some colorful metal flowers to your feeder?
- Draw a simple flower shape on your choice of metal and cut 2 or more with tin snips or similar metal-cutting tool. Cut out 1 small center circle for each 2 flowers you cut.
- Spray-paint flowers and circles in the colors of your choice.
- Nestle 2 of the flowers together and place 1 circle on top in the center. Using a nail and a hammer, punch a hole in the center of the flower cluster with a whack of the hammer on the nail. Repeat for the rest of the flowers.
- Take about 12 in. of wire that is stiff enough to hold the flowers upright but flexible enough to bend easily. Using needle-nose pliers, twist a loop in the wire about 2 in. from one end. This will support the flowers so they don't fall straight down the wire.
- Thread the flower cluster onto the short end of the wire to rest on the loop you made, and twist the wire above the flower into a spiral using needle-nose pliers. This will sandwich the flowers between loops so they are secure. Repeat for the rest of the flowers, and you're ready to attach them to the tomato cage.


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Find FedEx locations - Kodak
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Get the FedEx® Mobile app to print a label from your phone. Or bring your QR code to a FedEx Office or participating FedEx Ship Center® location. We'll print a label and take your package.
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If the merchant doesn't pay your return shipping cost, use low-cost FedEx Ground. It's faster to more locations than UPS Ground.
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Take advantage of self-service copying and full-service printing services at FedEx Office in Kodak. Learn about our latest offers and special deals at FedEx Office. Or start your order online for pickup within 24 hours.
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Hold packages for pickup
Help keep your deliveries safe when you ask us to hold packages at one of thousands of nearby FedEx locations in Kodak. Track your package to begin.


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The Halloween tradition to tell your child ahead of time
Halloween is one of the most expected holidays of the year. Both children and adults are excited to start decorating their homes and gardens according to the latest trends. Halloween is now the reason for partying until sunrise and wandering around in the most frightening costumes on the market, but nobody knows the ins and outs of this problem or how the idea of Halloween comes up. This article is meant to present some of the stories behind Halloween that everyone should know. Children need to understand why they need to dress up on this holiday and that's the importance of decoration they see around it. The Halloween tradition to tell your child ahead of time
Sculpting the pumpkin, also called jack-o'-lantern comes from the legend of a famous person who modeled wax or other objects to illuminate souls trapped in purgatory. Some objects such as pumpkins have traditionally been used in Ireland and Scotland. The American pumpkin carving tradition has been certified since 1830 and was initially associated with harvest time. The late nineteenth century has brought the meaning of harvest time and New Year to the Halloween holidays. Costumes are the main focal point of this holiday and much can be said about them.
This habit is still preserved today, as everyone – both children with western and adult diferens – walks costumed on the street, looking for a house to be cheated or treated. Wearing a costume that portrays a supernatural figure into something popular today but not many people know what they wear costumes for this special and spooky night. In Halloween, ghosts and spirits seem to roam the cities and haunt the people who come their way. To avoid that, people start walking around and leave their homes in frightening costumes so they are unconscious on the street. Even if Halloween is no longer a very religious holiday, people have fun celebrating it and decorating their homes so the atmosphere begins to enter. Adults buy adult disfraces so they can match their children as they roam. Plus, it makes a great theme for family photos so no one can stay away.
Before Halloween, there was Samhain. Samhain is a very religious holiday which suits the holidays of the Day of the Dead. Basically, Samhain has no specific date when it is celebrated but is counted on the 8th full moon after the spring equinox. The Celtic legend says that the barrier between the good world and the evil world (called hell and heaven) has broken out during this time and people can reach the underworld and meet any creature on both sides. Plus, the time should stop for two days and everyone gets trapped between the worlds. The Celtic people think it's New Year's Eve. Samhain is the origin of the traditional Halloween apple game, which is also called the swinging apple.


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RECORD: Darwin, C. R. 30.04.1851. 'Our poor child, Annie' [Darwin's reminiscence of Anne Elizabeth Darwin]. CUL-DAR210.13.40. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Kees Rookmaaker, edited by John van Wyhe 6.2007. RN1
NOTE: Anne Elizabeth Darwin (2 March 1841 - 23 April 1851) was Darwin's second child, born at 12 Upper Gower Street, London. She was known as Annie. She died at Malvern aged only ten years old. Historian James Moore wrote of this document:
"Full of vivid and precise details, spontaneous but controlled in its expression of grief and love, free of all taint of bitterness, the memoir was perhaps the most beautiful and certainly the most intensely emotional piece he would ever write." Moore 1989, p. 218.
Although it is often repeated that Annie's death supposedly destroyed the remnants of Darwin's belief in Christianity, no clear evidence has been presented to support this interpretation. Some historians believe, e.g. Jon Hodge, that the death of Darwin's freethinking father in 1848 is more likely. According to Darwin's Autobiography, p. 87, and elsewhere (see Aveling 1883), he gradually came to give up belief in Christianity because he found it was not supported by evidence and that "The rate was so slow that I felt no distress". The death of Annie, on the other hand, was arguably the most distressing event in Darwin's life.
Darwin's reminiscence was published in Life and letters 1: 132-134, Colp 1987 and Correspondence vol. 5, Appendix II. See also Keynes 2001.
John van Wyhe
Reproduced with permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library and William Huxley Darwin.
[scroll up to view introductory matter]
Our poor child, Annie, was born in Gower St on March 2d. 1841 & expired at Malvern at Midday on the 23d of April 1851.—
I write these few pages, as I think in after years, if we live, the impressions now put down will recall more vividly her chief characteristics. From whatever point I look back at her, the main feature in her disposition which at once rises before me is her buoyant joyousness tempered by two other characteristics, namely her sensitiveness, which might easily have been overlooked by a stranger & her strong affection. Her joyousness and animal
spirits radiated from her whole countenance & rendered every movement elastic & full of life & vigour. It was delightful & cheerful to behold her. Her dear face now rises before me, as she used sometimes to come running down stairs with a stolen pinch of snuff for me, her whole form radiant with the pleasure of giving pleasure. Even when playing with her cousins when her joyousness almost passed into boisterousness, a single glance of my eye, not of displeasure (for I thank God I hardly ever cast one on
her,) but of want of sympathy would for some minutes alter her whole countenance. This sensitiveness to the least blame, made her most easy to manage & very good: she hardly ever required to be found fault with, & was never punished in any way whatever. Her sensitiveness appeared extremely early in life, & showed itself in crying bitterly over any story at all melancholy; or on parting with Emma even for the shortest interval. Once when she was very young she exclaimed "Oh Mamma, what should we do, if you were to die".— 'Mamma: what shall we do when you are dead?'
'Mamma...dead?'] added pencil by Emma Darwin.
The other point in her character, which made her joyousness & spirits so delightful, was her strong affection, which was of a most clinging, fondling nature. When quite a Baby, this showed itself in never being easy without touching Emma, when in bed with her, & quite lately she would when poorly fondle for any length of time one of Emma's arms. When very unwell, Emma lying down beside her, seemed to soothe her in a manner quite different from what it would have done to any of our other children. So again, she would at almost anytime
spend half-an-hour in arranging my hair, "making it" as she called it "beautiful", or in smoothing, the poor dear darling, my collar or cuffs, in short in fondling me. She liked being kissed; indeed every expression in her countenance beamed with affection & kindness, & all her habits were influenced by her loving disposition.
Besides her joyousness thus tempered, she was in her manners remarkably cordial, frank, open, straightforward natural and without any shade of reserve. Her whole mind was pure & transparent. One felt one knew her thoroughily & could trust her: I always thought, that come what might,
we should have had in our old age, at least one loving soul, which nothing could have changed. She was generous, handsome & unsuspicious in all her conduct; free from envy & jealousy; goodtempered & never passionate. Hence she was very popular in the whole household, and strangers liked her & soon appreciated her. The very manner in which she shook hands with acquaintances showed her cordiality. Her figure & appearance were clearly influenced by her character: her eyes sparkled brightly; she often smiled; her step was elastic & firm; she held herself upright, & often threw
her head a little backwards, as if she defied the world in her joyousness. For her age she was very tall, not thin & strong. Her hair was a nice brown & long; her complexion slightly brown; eyes, dark grey; her teeth large & white. The Daguerrotype is very like her, but fails entirely in expression: having been made two years since, her face had become lengthened & better looking. All her movements were vigorous, active & usually graceful: when going round the sand-walk with me, although I walked fast, yet she often used to go before pirouetting in the most elegant way, her dear face bright all the time, with the sweetest smiles.
Occasionally she had a pretty coquettish manner towards me; the memory of which is charming: she often used exaggerated language, & when I quizzed her by exaggerating what she had said, how clearly can I now see the little toss of the head & exclamation of "Oh Papa what a shame of you".— She had a truly feminine interest in dress, & was always neat: such undisguised satisfaction, escaping somehow all tinge of conceit & vanity, beamed from her face, when she had got hold of some ribbon or gay handkerchief of her Mamma's.— One day she dressed herself up in a silk gown, cap, shawl & gloves of Emma,
appearing in figure like a little old woman, but with her heightened colour, sparkling eyes & bridled smiles, she looked, as I thought, quite charming. She cordially admired the younger children; how often have I heard her emphatically declare, "what a little duck, Betty is, is not she?".— She was very handy, doing everything neatly with her hands: she learnt music readily, & I am sure from watching her countenance, when listening to others playing, that she had a strong taste for it. She had some turn for drawing, & could copy faces very nicely. She danced well, &
was extremely fond of it. She liked reading, but evinced no particular line of taste. She had one singular habit, which, I presume would ultimately have turned into some pursuit; namely a strong pleasure in looking out words or names in dictionaries, directories, gazeteers, & in this latter case finding out the places in the Map: so also she would take a strange interest in comparing word by word two editions of the same book; and again she would spend hours in comparing the colours of any objects with a book of mine, in which all colours are arranged & named.—
Her health failed in a slight degree for about nine months before her last illness; but it only occasionally gave her a day of discomfort: at such times, she was never in the least degree cross, peevish or impatient; & it was wonderful to see, as the discomfort passed, how quickly her elastic spirits brought back her joyousness & happiness. In the last short illness, her conduct in simple truth was angelic; she never once complained; never became fretful; was ever considerate of others; & was thankful in the most gentle, pathetic manner for everything done for her. When so exhausted that she could hardly speak, she praised everything that was given her, & said some tea "was beautifully good." When I gave her some water,
she said "I quite thank you"; & these, I believe were the last precious words ever addressed by her dear lips to me. But looking back, always the spirit of joyousness rises before me as her emblem and characteristic: she seemed formed to live a life of happiness: her spirits were always held in check by her sensitiveness lest she should displease those she loved, & her tender love was never weary of displaying itself by fondling & all the other little acts of affection.— We have lost the joy of the Household, and the solace of our old age:— she must have known how we loved her; oh that she could now know how deeply, how tenderly we do still & shall ever love her dear joyous face. Blessings on her.— April 30. 1851.
Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
File last updated 25 September, 2022


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Elmore Leonard Has Passed Away
Elmore Leonard died this morning, August 20th, after suffering a stroke. He was a three-time Edgar Nominee (Best PBO in 1979 – The Switch; Best Novel 1983 – Split Images; and winning Best Novel 1984 – La Brava). He was named Grand Master in 1992. He was truly a giant of the genre and will be sorely missed by fans all around the world.


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Peering into the Flame
New insights from synchrotron-based studies are helping to assess the potential of new biofuels.
The Science
The fidelity of a combustion chemistry computational model for butanol, a potential biofuel, was determined by experimentally quantifying seldom observed reaction intermediates predicted by theoretical calculations.
The Impact
The ability to accurately predict combustion chemistry with computational models can lead to faster, more cost-effective assessment of proposed new fuels.
Evaluation of new fuels in engines is hampered by both expense and need for large quantities of the test fuel — a problem given the limited availability for many potential biofuels. Predictive computer modeling based on quantum mechanics and chemistry promises to reduce the number of experiments needed for evaluation. To validate the fidelity of combustion chemistry models, researchers at the CEFRC conducted rigorous experimental tests of the computer predictions for combustion of butanol, an alternative fuel nearing commercialization. Using the Advanced Light Source, a synchrotron that generates bright beams of x-rays capable of revealing atomic and electronic structure of matter, the scientists were able to quantify the chemical species in butanol flames, including species not observable using ordinary techniques. While showing that the model predictions resemble the experimental data and are generally accurate, the research identified areas for improvement. Overall, the results suggest the computer modeling approach currently being developed will accelerate the evaluation of proposed fuels while reducing cost and fuel use.
N. Hansen
Sandia National Laboratories
W. H. Green
Chung K. Law
Director of the Combustion Energy Frontier Research Center (CEFRC)
DOE Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRC) Program; Advanced Light Source (ALS)
Hansen, N.; Harper, M.R.; and Green, W.H. "High-temperature oxidation chemistry of n-butanol – experiments in low-pressure premixed flames and detailed kinetic modeling" Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 13, 20262–20274 (2011). [DOI: 10.1039/c1cp21663e]
Related Links
Combustion Energy Frontier Research Center
Highlight Categories
Performer: University , DOE Laboratory , SC User Facilities , BES User Facilities , ALS


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Weaver introduces Top Mount Base Pairs, which eliminate the need for shooters to seek front and rear bases for their gun.
The bases have tough, lightweight aluminum construction to resist recoil and provide a secure fit on any firearm.
They also accept all Weaver top-mount cross-lock rings and measure up to Weaver standards in mounting bases.
Contact Weaver at www.weaver-mounts.com.


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Story highlights
NEW: Muslim cleric Tahir ul Qadri reached a deal with Pakistan's governing coalition
NEW: The National Assembly will dissolve within two months, with new elections within 90 days after that
NEW: The sit-in that paralyzed Islamabad in recent days is over
NEW: Qadri tells supporters, "You are victorious, and your sacrifices were worth it"
Tens of thousands of Pakistanis ended their sit-in in central Islamabad late Thursday night after their leader, Muslim cleric Tahir ul Qadri, convinced Pakistan's government to dissolve the National Assembly and set new elections.
The cleric had repeatedly called for the government to be dissolved and replaced by a caretaker administration, with input from the judiciary and military.
Qadri, who convoyed into town with thousands of followers on Monday, reached the deal with a 10-man delegation from the governing coalition after five-hour negotiations in a bulletproof shipping container.
After Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf signed off of the agreement, Qadri praised his supporters, including women and children, who braved frigid winter rains for their cause.
"In the history of Islamabad, such a sea of people, patient and driven and united, has never been seen" said Qadri, addressing the crowd outside his container. "You are victorious, and your sacrifices were worth it in the end."
The agreement, named the "Islamabad Long March Declaration," contains five main points:
First, the National Assembly must dissolve by March 16, so elections can take place within 90 days.
Second, Qadri's Pakistan Awami Tehreek party will be able to propose two potential candidates for the caretaker prime minister post.
Third, a meeting has been scheduled for January 27 to put together a national election commission.
Fourth, there will be a focus on electoral reforms, including ensuring "free, fair, just and honest elections guarded against all corrupt practices."
And finally, the government agreed not to pursue vendettas against any participants in Qadri's march or sit-in.
The crowds that had paralyzed downtown Islamabad since Sunday began to disperse after Qadri's declaration of victory.
He assured his supporters that transportation for their return home had been arranged and would be free of cost.
The cleric began his protest movement last month in the eastern city of Karachi after returning from years of self-imposed exile in Canada.
He originally had requested a personal meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari, and gave the head of state a 3 p.m. Thursday deadline.
The president never showed. Instead, the 10-man delegation arrived, according to Pakistan's Information Ministry.
Before Qadri met with the heads of coalition parties, four Cabinet ministers and other lawmakers, he warned his followers an agreement might not come quickly.
"You may need to sleep here another night, as we won't leave this place until there is a written agreement," he told the throngs.
Growing fury over widespread corruption brought the government district to a standstill this week and jolted Pakistan's already volatile political scene ahead of national elections due later this year.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the arrest of the prime minister and other officials in connection with a long-running corruption case.
Read more: Pakistani Supreme Court orders arrest of PM
Cleric in Islamabad: 'It's the beginning of the revolution'
Qadri's suggestion about judiciary and military involvement in Pakistan's future has raised concerns in the country, where military leaders have repeatedly seized power and ruled for long periods of time.
Qadri was a lawmaker during the presidency of former president, Gen. Pervez Musharraf.
Some Pakistanis have suggested Qadri may be working on behalf of the military. He denies those allegations.
Read more: Pakistani leader meets protesting families of bombing victims
The political drama unfolded against the backdrop of bomb and gun attacks in restive areas of the country carried out by the Pakistani Taliban and other militant groups.
At the same time, a string of recent clashes along the de facto border between Pakistan and India in the disputed territory of Kashmir has put renewed strain on ties between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
Gordon Brown: Malala spurs school-for-all vow, now deliver
Shaan Khan reported from Islamabad, with Mark Morgenstein writing in Atlanta. Nasir Habib also contributed to this report from Pakistan.


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Tone2 has announced that a new version of its fine-sounding Gladiator synth will be released before the end of 2008.
Based on a type of synthesis called Harmonic Content Morphing, the first version of Gladiator was capable of producing some striking tones. Gladiator 2 is said to sound even better - it features 6,657 waveforms, a new engine, new effects, a second filter and six new unison modes.
In addition, there's an extra sub-oscillator, a feedback-delay module, two additional envelopes, four additional envelope shapers and an extra LFO.
Many other improvements have been made, too, and everything is packaged in a better user interface.
Gladiator 2 costs $199/€149 (it's available for pre-order now), though owners of the original version will be entitled to a free upgrade. It's cross-platform and supports the VST and AU plug-in formats.


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You can achieve so much more with a more organized list. Specially now when List Janitor makes it simple and inexpensive. No need to pay an online list cleaning service a bomb to get this done.
"What a boss tool to use for risk assessment! You are right there isn't anything like this out there. You'll never worry about being banned by your autoresponder again."
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"Obviously it will benefit anyone, not only for cleaning up my lists. and I have Email Jeet as well and will need to keep on top of this myself. I am sick of fake email addresses and fake servers."
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"I tried many list cleaning services including one suggested by aweber but they rejected the import. I got a copy of List Janitor and guess what it worked like a charm. Aweber accepts my import. Thanks bro you got a killer product."
Hi Online Marketer,
What's the most powerful way of selling online? No, there are no prizes because you know it already. Everybody knows it. Heck! Even your cat knows this much.
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Every day millions of sales Emails are being sent around the world, and someone is getting paid for a sale or a commission all because of the power that their email list holds.
If you're a list marketer, you've got one of the easiest ways to max out your business online.
Because no matter how well planned a marketing system is, you still need to do it right to create an impact on your business. If you don't do it right you will keep going around in circles and the rest of the world will seem to pull it off right in front of you
Is the following happening to you?
You're working very hard on list-building and writing good quality emails with fantastic headlines and superb call-to-actions, but you are not getting the desired results because you're facing problems like these.
Your open rate is lower than you expect it to be.
Your autoresponder doesn't let you segment lists further.
You are ending up in Promotions tab, or even Spam.
You are ending up in Promotions tab, or even Spam.
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Your click through rate is really bad.
You are spending a lot of money on unresponsive subscribers.
Do you feel locked down by your autoresponder? You used their list collection system to build your list, and now you're locked in. You have to tolerate their low delivery rates, open rates, and live with inefficiency because you can't change your autoresponder.
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What's even better than an autoresponder? A professional SMTP service provider like Sendgrid, or Elastic Email, or SMTP2GO, or Dyn.
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Pay attention to that. That's the only one thing they do, that's why they have a major incentive to do it really well.
When you use a professional SMTP instead of an autoresponder, you'll be able to get two major advantages.
The only problem again. SMTPs require 100% clean list. They ban you immediately if you mail an unclean list.
One of the biggest problems with having an autoresponder mechanism is that you can't mail the customers who didn't sign up using the autoresponder. For example, if you have customers who signed up from within your product, or maybe to your blog, or your support center, etc., there's no way to mail them.
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You can't even send them an update notification.
The only way to solve this problem is by importing the buyers list into the autoresponder or using a SMTP service. Both of which require that the list is 100% clean.
One of the best ways to improve delivery is to segment your list. If you're using an autoresponder it's likely that you've segmented only on the basis of the product that people signed up for.
What if you could also segment for domains, regions, countries, demographics?
That kind of targeting is just not possible using traditional autoresponders. If you were able to do this however, you can create tailored messages for your audience and boost your open rates and sales quite a bit.
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Q. Will this run on a Mac?
A. It is designed for Windows and will run best on a Windows based PC. Will run on Mac only with a virtualization platform like Parallels.
Q. Can I run it on a VPS?
A. List Janitor actually gets you far better results in speed and accuracy if you run it on a Windows VPS. A VPS license is available to Pro buyers.
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A. Yes, it doesn't matter where you got it from. You can clean absolutely any list using List Janitor.
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A. List Janitor needs an open SMTP Port (Port 25) to verify emails using SMTP. Your ISP must support that. Most ISPs do.
Q. Do I need to buy anything else to verify emails?
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List Janitor We're going to select 15 best responses and give them a lifetime account for .


text:
The WWF is run at a local level by the following offices...
- WWF Global
- Adria
- Argentina
- Armenia
- AsiaPacific
- Australia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Belgium
- Bhutan
- Bolivia
- Borneo
- Brazil
- Bulgaria
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Canada
- Caucasus
- Central African Republic
- Central America
- Chile
- China
- Colombia
- Croatia
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Denmark
- Ecuador
- European Policy Office
- Finland
© Alexander Belokurov / imagenature.com
Life is what sets our planet apart – but the wondrous variety of species that share our home is rapidly disappearing.
Thanks to destructive human activities, the current rate of species extinction is at least 100-1,000 times higher than the expected natural rate. This rate of biodiversity loss is comparable with the great mass extinction events that have previously occurred only five or six times in the Earth's history.
Protected areas are essential tools to halt this biodiversity loss.
They act as refuges for species, genetic diversity, and ecological processes that cannot survive in intensely managed landscapes and seascapes. They also provide space for natural evolution and future ecological restoration.
Protected areas can also help buy time for habitats and species threatened by global warming and climate change, while the world works out the only long-term solution: reducing CO2 emissions.
Biological diversity – or biodiversity – is the term given to the variety of life on Earth and the patterns it forms.
Biodiversity comprises all the millions of different species that live on our planet – plants, animals, and microorganisms – as well as genetic differences within each species, for example, between varieties of crops and breeds of livestock. It also includes the multitude of different ecosystems on Earth, in which particular species form a unique community, interacting with one another and with the air, water, and soil around them.


text:
ATLANTA — Gerald Laird is not letting anything interfere with his time getting to know the Braves' pitchers.
Laird said he turned down an invitation to represent Mexico in the World Baseball Classic because he needs to work with Atlanta's pitchers the full spring training. He even reported for informal workouts with the pitchers this week at Turner Field.
Laird, whose mother is half-Mexican, signed a two-year, $3 million deal with Atlanta in November to be Brian McCann's backup. Laird is expected to open the season as the starter while McCann recovers from surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder.
The Braves expect McCann to miss only about the first two weeks of the season. Laird, who started 51 games for Detroit last season, wants to make sure he's prepared for any length of time he's asked to be the starter.
"I feel like I can bring a lot when the starter goes down," Laird said earlier this week during his first day at Turner Field. "I feel like I can fill in for a couple weeks, a month, whatever it takes. I knew the situation. When (McCann) comes back he's going to definitely help the ballclub. I can do whatever is needed to do. I can play every day, once a week or whenever they tell me to play."
Laird said the spring training games will be crucial to the process of learning how to work with the Braves' pitchers.
"It takes a little bit. Catching in the bullpen only helps so much," he said. "That's why when they asked me to play a little with Mexico in the World Baseball Classic, I decided not to do it. If I was an outfielder, I might have done it.
"Being a catcher with a new ballclub and getting to know the staff, I felt that was my priority. I felt coming in and out and not being here the whole time wouldn't have benefitted the staff. I want to stay and catch as many guys as I can because if I'm the guy for the first couple weeks or however long, I want to make sure I know what their tendencies are and what they like to do in certain situations."
Braves general manager Frank Wren said team doctors likely will hold McCann out of action at the start of the season even if the six-time All-Star is hitting and throwing well in spring training.
"If everything goes well in spring training, I don't think it will be more than a couple weeks before he is ready to rejoin us," Wren said. "I know that's probably two weeks too long for him, but we don't want to put him in a situation where he has any major setbacks."
The Braves signed Laird after David Ross, who backed up McCann the past four seasons, signed with Boston.
McCann and Ross were a tandem at the position for four years.
"David Ross is a guy I've learned a lot from," McCann said. "We had an unbelievable duo going there for a while. It's going to be sad seeing him gone. We brought in Gerald Laird who is a veteran guy with a great track record and we're excited."
Laird, 33, made his major league debut with Texas in 2003 and spent six seasons with the Rangers. He has appeared in as many as 100 games only twice — with Texas in 2007 and with Detroit in 2009.
After playing on the Cardinals 2011 World Series championship team, Laird returned to the Tigers last season and made his second straight World Series appearance. He hit .282 with two homers and 11 RBIs.
Laird could be a key offseason addition for the Braves, but his signing was overshadowed by two other moves. The Braves signed outfielder B.J. Upton before last week's trade for Justin Upton.
Suddenly, Laird likes his chances to make a third straight World Series appearance. The Braves won 94 games last season before losing to St. Louis in the wild-card game.
"When I signed I was excited that we've got a really good club here," Laird said. "They got beat last year in that play-in game but they were there. They're always a good club, they're always competing. The next thing you know we got B.J. and Justin. I'm really looking forward to it. We've got a chance to do something really special.
"I've been fortunate the last couple of years to play with some good clubs and play in the World Series. With what Frank has done here with the roster, I've got a good chance to win again. I'm just going to have fun and do my part and maybe it will work out."


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Clay Pot Trellis
Add clay pots to a wooden garden trellis, and you can switch out the plants to suit the seasons!
Have some old clay pots lying around? Brighten up a bare fence or wall with this simple pot trellis. You can change the look as often as you like – just unhook the pots and pop in fresh plants.
- Trellis
- Clay pots
- Galvanized Wire
- Wire Cutters
- Pliers
Step-By-Step Instructions:
Step 1
You can build a trellis yourself with leftover scrap wood using nails to hold it together, or you can buy a trellis to suit the site or cut one to fit. You may wish to stain or paint it with exterior paint first. Then place the trellis in its spot, making sure the horizontal bars are sturdy enough to hold the weight of potted plants.
Step 2
To fashion a pot loop, bend a length of galvanized wire to fit snugly beneath each pot rim. Twist one end of the wire over itself and pinch tight with pliers, leaving one long end free for hanging. Bend the long end of the wire to make a hook that fits snugly over a horizontal piece of trellis. Add as many pots to the trellis as you like, and add plants to suit your style!


text:
Sonnet CXLVII
My love is as a fever longing still,
For that which longer nurseth the disease;
Feeding on that which doth preserve the ill,
The uncertain sickly appetite to please.
My reason, the physician to my love,
Angry that his prescriptions are not kept,
Hath left me, and I desperate now approve
Desire is death, which physic did except.
Past cure I am, now Reason is past care,
And frantic-mad with evermore unrest;
My thoughts and my discourse as madmen's are,
At random from the truth vainly expressed;
For I have sworn thee fair, and thought thee bright,
Who art as black as hell, as dark as night.
The 1609 Quarto Version
MY loue is as a feauer longing ſtill,
For that which longer nurſeth the diſeaſe,
Feeding on that which doth preſerue the ill,
Th'vncertaine ſicklie appetite to pleaſe:
My reaſon the Phiſition to my loue,
Angry that his preſcriptions are not kept
Hath left me,and I deſperate now approoue,
Deſire is death,which Phiſick did except .
Paſt cure I am,now Reaſon is paſt care,
And frantick madde with euer-more vnreſt,
My thoughts and my diſcourſe as mad mens are,
At randon from the truth vainely expreſt.
For I haue ſworne thee faire,and thought thee bright,
Who art as black as hell,as darke as night.
- 1. My love is as a fever longing still,
- My love = my passion for you, my infatuation.
longing still = constantly desiring, incessantly eager.
fever - A term often associated with love which Shakespeare has already used in connection with his aberrant behaviour when he appeared to have deserted the youth and distracted himself with other loves:
How have mine eyes out of their spheres been fitted
In the distraction of this madding fever! 119.
Medically a fever was 'an vnnaturall heate grounded in the hearte and lyuer'. (OED cites this from 1547). Given the uncertain knowledge of the time, it could be applied to almost any illness. The usual treatment would be blood letting, which was supposed to reduce the inner pressures and temperature:
DUM. I would forget her; but a fever she
Reigns in my blood and will remembered be.
BIR. A fever in your blood! why, then incision
Would let her out in saucers: sweet misprision! LLL.IV.3.91-4.
Since fever brought on ravings, there was a widespread belief that the sick persons always irrationally desired the thing which was no good for them. They might wish for fruit or drinks for example, which the physician would consider to be unsuitable and damaging to the health. Hence the prescription (line 6) could be, as well as medicine, a prohibition against the consumption of these supposedly undesirable foods. Compare :
...................and your affections are
A sick man's appetite, who desires most that
Which would increase his evil. COR.I.1.173-5. - 2. For that which longer nurseth the disease;
- longer
= for a longer time. The proximity
of longing and longer makes
it seem as if the patient longs
to prolong his illness.
that which etc. = the unsuitable food or drink which caused the disease initially.
nurseth = nurses. The word is ambiguous, for it suggests two opposites, 'brings back to health', and 'tends carefully, so that it (the illness) stays'. - 3. Feeding on that which doth preserve the ill,
- Feeding
on - i.e. his love is feeding
on the forbidden fruit.
which doth preserve the ill = which causes the illness to remain. - 4. The uncertain sickly appetite to please.
- (In
order to) satisfy my wavering, distempered
appetite = desire for food. But, in the context of a diseased love, it signifies lust, carnal desire. OED.3 gives: 'one of those instinctive cravings which secure the preservation of the individual and the race'. Shakespeare's use of the word is often rather stronger and more specific than OED indicates, as the following three extracts show:Behold yond simpering dame,
Whose face between her forks presages snow;
That minces virtue, and does shake the head
To hear of pleasure's name;
The fitchew, nor the soiled horse, goes to 't
With a more riotous appetite. KL.IV.6.118-23.
Moreover, urge his hateful luxury
And bestial appetite in change of lust; R3.III.5.80-1.There is no woman's sides
Can bide the beating of so strong a passion
As love doth give my heart; no woman's heart
So big, to hold so much; they lack retention
Alas, their love may be called appetite,
No motion of the liver, but the palate,
That suffer surfeit, cloyment and revolt; TN.II.4.92-8.The subject of the line is 'my love, which is like a fever' (line 1). Note that the word order is inverted - 'in order to please the sickly appetite'.
- 5. My reason, the physician to my love,
My reason - one of the faculties of the soul. Its presence here, as also the feeding metaphors, help to tie this poem in with the previous one.
the physician = the doctor. The two words were used by Shakespeare without distinction. Shakespeare's daughter Susanna married the physician John Hall in 1607.- 6. Angry that his prescriptions are not kept,
- prescriptions
= rules of good health,
the regimen given as a means of curing a disease, proscriptions (i.e.
to avoid certain things). In more recent use the word came to mean 'the
medicine (which had been written down by the doctor)'.
kept = observed, obeyed. As in 'to keep one's promise'. - 7. Hath left me, and I desperate now approve
- Hath
left me - i.e. my reason has
left me.
I desperate = I, having become desperate; in desperation, I etc.
approve = demonstrate, show by my experience, give proof that. - 8. Desire is death, which physic did except.
- A line of uncertain meaning which is variously glossed. 'Desire, such as I experience it, will bring my death, although the appropriate medicine would have averted it'. 'Any desire which militates against good medical practice brings death to the patient'. 'Sexual desire shortens life, but medicine can allay the effects of it'. 'Sexual desire under certain conditions which would cause physicians to forbid it, will prove fatal'. The difficulty is partly in the word 'except', but also in the compression of 'desire is death'. except probably means here 'took exception to'. (See SB.p.518-9). There was a belief that every orgasm shortened one's life by a day. There may also be a reference to venereal disease in 'desire is death'. It was widespread and often fatal. See the note below to line 13.
- 9. Past cure I am, now Reason is past care,
- An echo of the proverb 'Past cure past care', meaning that when curative remedies have been exhausted to no effect, there is no point in worrying any further, but also equivalent to the more humdrum 'Don't cry over spilt milk'. Shakespeare has inverted it by saying 'Reason is past care i.e. beyond hope, therefore I am past cure'.
- 10. And frantic-mad with evermore unrest;
- And
frantic mad = and I am frantically
mad; I have become frantic. Note that Q's spelling of 'mad' as 'madde'
a confusion with made. Thus 'I have been made frantic by my love for
The spelling of 'mad' in the following line is conventional.
evermore unrest = unrest which is incessant and endless. Evermore seems here to have an adverbial force, but if taken as two words, 'ever more', it could mean unrest, disquiet, which is continually increasing. - 11. My thoughts and my discourse as madmen's are,
- There
is a feverish quality to these two
lines, in keeping with the theme of fever introduced at the start. He
longer knows what he is saying or if his thoughts have any meaning.
my discourse = my speech; my reasoning, my faculty of reasoned speech. As in:
O, God! a beast, that wants discourse of reason,
Would have mourned longer Ham.I.2.150-1.
where wants = lacks.
as madmen's are - i.e. my speech is like madmen's speech. - 12. At random from the truth vainly expressed;
- random
- Q's randon was a
variant of the time, based on the French word meaning 'headlong, in a
at random from the truth = wide of the truth, straying erratically and irrationally from the truth, furiously rushing from the truth.
vainly expressed = spoken to no purpose, spoken with foolhardiness. - 13. For I have sworn thee fair, and thought thee bright,
- The
couplet explains how he has strayed
at random from the truth, for he has sworn that his beloved is
which she is not, that she is fair and beautiful, when she in fact is
and benighted. The most disturbing aspect of these concluding lines is
they are so brutal and unforgiving. The epithets have both physical and
moral significance, for he seems determined to prove that she was not
either in soul or body. There was indeed a tradition within the
world at the time that the beloved was not always as fair as Petrarch's
fairest Laura. But it was essentially a playful tradition, in that
was a determination to find something different to look at. Robert
for example, in 1597, declares
"My mistress seems but brown", say you to me.
'Tis very true, and I confess the same.
This is the cause: for brown and pitiful
I left a fair, but yet a faithless Trull. Laura III.31.
But Shakespeare's sonnet breaks off from that tradition, for it heaps vilification on the beloved as if she were a tart. For Tofte the faithless Trull was the one he had left, not the one he was busy praising at the moment. Whereas here the poet loves, or pretends to love, what he finds dark, black, bestial, and morally unfathomable. It is tempting to ask whether or not this is his madness speaking, whether or not he is as guiltless as we might assume, whether or not the man who left to his wife the second best bed night not have been a swine with women. For it is not impossible that the writer who gave the world some of the finest women ever created in fiction should be unable to form a satisfactory relationship with them in his life. The harsh judgement which here he levies upon his mistress, as he does also, but less vitriolically, in 131,137 and 152, does not seem to have caused too much disturbance, even among female critics, who, one would expect, might be more sensitive to these possibilities. (KDJ and HV for example both comment on this sonnet unecstatically and with little sense of discomfort at its content, except perhaps by excusing it as mad ravings). Yet it is surely appropriate to ask for whom the sonnet was intended. Was it one of the sugared sonnets among his private friends, was it intended for his mistress, or was it for the wider world, the public who might read eventually the full sequence? All these possibilities fill one with a sense of unease, and however much one might wish to praise the poem for its unfailing honesty, one wonders whether that is really a sufficient justification for its cruelty.
Alternatively we could perhaps look for a mundane explanation, and see this as the meanderings of someone who is suffering from a bad dose of the pox. The closing line, with its suggestions of hell and darkness, is, as always, suggestive of the female hell, the vagina, which burns with the flame of venereal disease, as in Timon of Athen's outburst:
...............................................be whores still;
And he whose pious breath seeks to convert you,
Be strong in whore, allure him, burn him up;
Let your close fire predominate his smoke,
And be no turncoats: Tim.IV.3.139-43.
The essential condition for cure of the illness was obviously abstention from intercourse, which the poet does not seem to be able to manage, and the physician despairs of him. Apart from that, treatment was possible by 'suffumigation with cinnabar in a meat-pickling vat', an experience not likely to be very pleasant. The patient was at the same time kept on a low diet. After such a cure anyone might well feel dejected and low and be capable of writing a sour sonnet or two about his mistress. - 14. Who art as black as hell, as dark as night.
See note above. The blackness of hell and the darkness of night, and vice versa, were proverbial attributes.
Bacchante (Lady Hamilton) after George Romney. Published 1797.


text:
Osher Reentry Scholarship
The University of Mississippi has received a generous donation from the Bernard Osher Foundation to provide partial tuition scholarships for reentry students. Selection is competitive.
Eligibility for the Osher Reentry Scholarship
Eligible applicants must meet the following qualifications:
- Must have experienced a cumulative gap in their education of five or more years;
- Must be pursuing their first baccalaureate degree;
- Must show academic promise and commitment to obtaining their degree;
- Must attend the University of Mississippi Oxford, Booneville, DeSoto, Tupelo, or Grenada campuses;
- Must anticipate workforce participation for a significant period of time subsequent to graduation and must be between 25-50 years old;
- Must be a US citizen;
- Must demonstrate financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA);
- Must be enrolled at least half-time; and
- Must not be enrolled exclusively in online courses.
Preference will be given to the following students:
- Returning Osher Scholars
- Newly matriculating students
- Mississippi residents
- Students with an overall 2.50 or higher GPA on all previous coursework
- Students who are classified as a junior or senior
Students with other fee-specific scholarships paying full tuition will not be eligible for this award. Although it is possible to have more than one tuition scholarship, the combination of credits from these scholarships cannot exceed the amount of the tuition charge.
Application Deadline
Deadline to submit the Osher Reentry Scholarship Application and to have a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file with the Office of Financial Aid is July 1, 2023 with a priority date of June 1, 2023.
The scholarship is a commitment for the 2023-24 academic year only. However, if offered again in future years, Osher Reentry Scholars are invited to reapply.
To access the Osher Reentry Scholarship Application, you will need to be logged into myOleMiss with your WebID or know your admission application number and date of birth. If needed, you can call the Ole Miss Financial Services Help-Line at (800) 891-4596 to retrieve your admission application number.
Current Students
Sign into myOleMiss to apply for the Osher Reentry Scholarship.


text:
Most Chinese people dress for comfort, so you can plan to do the same. There's little risk of offending people with your dress: Westerners tend to attract attention regardless of their attire. Fashion capitals Hong Kong and Shanghai are the exceptions to the comfort rule: slop around in flip-flops and worn denims and you will feel that there's a neon "tourist" sign over your head. Opt for your smarter jeans or pants for sightseeing there.
Sturdy, comfortable walking shoes are a must: go for closed shoes over sandals, as dust, rain and toe-stomping crowds make them impractical. Northern Chinese summers are dusty and baking hot, so slacks, capris, and sturdy shorts are best. A raincoat, especially a light Goretex one or a fold-up poncho, is useful for an onset of rainy weather, especially in Southern China. During the harsh winters, thermal long johns and thick socks are a lifesaver—especially in low-star hotel rooms.
That said, in urban centers you can prepare to be unprepared: big Chinese cities are a clothes shopper's paradise. If a bulky jacket's going to put you over the airline limit, buy one in China and leave it behind when you go. All the other woollies—and silkies, the local insulator of choice—you'll need go for a song, as do brand-name jackets. Scarves, gloves, and hats, all musts, are also easy to find.
Most good hotels have reliable overnight laundry services, though costs can rack up on a long trip. Look outside your hotel for cheaper laundries, and bring some concentrated travel detergent for small or delicate items. Note that it's often cheaper to buy things than have your own laundered, so if you're even a little interested in shopping, consider bringing an extra, foldable bag for carting purchases home.
Keep packets of tissues and antibacterial hand wipes in your day pack—paper isn't a feature of many Chinese restrooms, and you often can't buy it in smaller towns. A small flashlight with extra batteries is also useful. The brands in Chinese pharmacies are limited, so take adequate stocks of your potions and lotions, feminine-hygiene products (tampons are especially hard to find), and birth control. All of these things are easy to get in Hong Kong. You may also want to bring along a face mask to protect yourself from dust and pollution, especially in the smoggy winter months.
In your carry-on luggage, pack an extra pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses and enough of any medication you take to last a few days longer than the entire trip.
If you're planning a longer trip or will be using local tour guides, bring a few inexpensive items from your home country as gifts. Popular gifts are candy, T-shirts, and small cosmetic items such as lipstick and nail polish—double-check that none were made in China. Be wary about giving American magazines and books as gifts, as these can be considered propaganda and get your Chinese friends in trouble.


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So this is just a taste of my bedroom.
Staying true to form, over the next week or two, I will go into nauseating
detail about everything in the room.
Latah, Gatah
Sooo pretty. Love the details.
Think I would do a little twirle around when I walk into this bedroom & than set down on the bed and say to myself " I just love my bedroom" !!!
Just gorgeous!
It's beautiful! I wouldn't change a thing, Ms Betsy. Not a purty thing. I like blue. I like the serenity of it. Heck, there's not much else serene about me or you, now is there!
What a beautiful room! I love everything about it!
A classic beauty! I love the fabric.
Sooo beautiful!! Everything is perfect!!
Looking so forward to the detail--love it all!
I must say this is my favorite room cuz I'm one of those "folks [that] are serene, simple color combo animals.....".
I especially like all the trim details. Very pretty room! Can't wait to hear more about it.
I like your attention to detail - thanks for sharing your beautiful rooms with us.
It's so beautiful! The first image is most adorable for me.
Oh I loved this room when I saw it and now I get to see more of the details when you point them out!! I think one day you will paint a vinyl chair...and then you will say, what took me so long?!
Your bedroom looks very serene and lush. I fight the need for multicolors because I do like a monochromatic look. Complimentary colors are in my blood though and I can also imagine touches of coral in your bedroom. Love the attention to detail.
I love your blue toile bedroom...because I also have a blue toile master bedroom that I have blogged about. It was the only time in my life I paid to have custom drapes made for our bedroom and bathroom. Expensive? Yes, but I would do it again. Our room isn't quite up to speed as yours - but then you are the awesome interior designer! I can hardly wait to see it in more detail.
Quite obviously your followers thrive on "nauseating detail" bring it on Betsy!!!! Your cottage is a wonderland........................but for the panels in your dining room. Just a little heckling to keep you fired up for Trad. Home!!!!
Looks so great. Head over to my blog and check out my guest bedroom redo! I hope you like it.
So fun to see your style unfold and all the hows and whys and whatnot. It's amazing what goes into why we do what we do isn't it. Your room is lovely!
Oh, my Lord! Betsy, your bedroom is gorgeous! I love the overboard of the pretty blue toile! How many yards? :) I love our princess bed too! I could stay in bed all day if I had such a pretty spot to lay my gorgeous little head! :)
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
I drool over your sitting room and bedroom. So absolutely beautiful, and loving blue. don't think there is a prettier color than blue! Thanks for sharing your creative inspiration with Sunday's Best – it helped make the party a success!
I do love your style, sugah! I remember seeing your things in magazines back in the 80s. Since we retired from California to Idaho—yes, it was culture shock but hubs and I love it—I've scaled down from 5,000 s.f. to 1,800. Retirement age does that to ya, chick!! But I truly do love what you've done with your home. But I'll bet I'm funnier than you, sweetpea! ;-)
Hi Betsy,
Very lovely indeed, I think your bed is fit for a Queen..The blue rose linen fabric is so beautiful, every detail in both rooms is amazingly gorgeous. I think your half tester and bed is the diamond in the room and the center of attention, the big "Awww".. Your study and bedroom are very tranquil and peaceful.
By the way I'm a multi-hued beast" too LOL..
Have a sweet day, Elizabeth
That bed is like a cozy, fluffy cloud! I love the idea of a nook or "cocoon" of fabric draped around a bed, it's so cozy. The colors are just dreamy...
Just beautiful!!! Love all the fabric used! Hopped over from Cozy Little House and I'm happy to be your newest follower. Would love to have you stop by for a visit! Judy @ www.vintagestreetdesigns.com
I love your blue room. Not everyone is into shabby chippy paint. Came by from Cozy Little House.
Wow Betsy, this is just gorgeous, love every inch, and no detail have you overlooked. Perfect!!
This is so BEAUTIFUL!!!!! woW...would love it if you would share it at Share it One More Time
Love love love the colors! now following
Oh my. I could live in these two rooms.
{from a fellow retired snowbird}
Your house guests must be so pampered~what a gorgeous room! I love the blue toile. New follower for you! Pop over for a visit~I'm running a great jewelry giveaway this week if you are interested!
This is a beautiful room, Betsy! I love your bed and the fabric you chose.
Love the toile! Beautiful blue!
Betsy, isn't it funny how we tell ourselves one thing but find out later that is not really what is in our heart?! Your rooms are lovely and I am sure reflect your personality to a tee!
Love that headboard! It's such a beautiful bedroom. I'd love for you to share it at my new blog party, Twirl & Take a Bow at www.houseontheway.com. I think it would make a great addition to the party.
Adore all the details and the use of the toile pattern fabric upholstered walls and bed drapes! Gorgeous! Thank you for showing off your details ;) at Potpourri Friday at 2805!
So beautiful!
Hi, Betsy! Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful room!
Gorgeous room!!! You really know how to milk the details of a room. That bed looks like one I could really get some beauty rest in!
Seriously beautiful! Thank you for the inspiration. Thank you for sharing this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Hope to see your prettiness again on Monday. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Oh my goodness...you are so talented! Every single detail is perfect! Thanks for sharing on Overflowing with Creativity. Hope to see you again tomorrow night. XO, Aimee
Wow......visiting you via It's Overflowing Party......Pinning ya : )
Really like the drapery/canopy look behind the headboard. So rich. :D Thanks for linking up this week.
So beautiful and I would move in in a moment! Love the fabric you choose! Thanks for sharing your creative inspiration with Sunday's Best – you helped make the party a success!
Betsy! This is so very LOVELY! Your Toile de Juoy is so very beautiful - I just adore blue and white - especially toile - the half tester is so lovely - your fabric, trimming, furniture - all make for a perfectly dreamy bedroom - I will be featuring your post in this evening's Home and Garden Thursday post this evening,
I appreciate you sharing,
This is so pretty--I love the fabric on the draperies and half tester, with the beautiful trim. It's all just wonderful, and must be a serene place to rest each night!
Now see, I am a monochromatic lover so this was just so pretty to me! I also love pattern and texture! So the toile de joy hits all the right notes! Lovely room! Thank you for joining me at Home Sweet Home!
Hi! Just in case you haven't seen the news, you have been featured at Potpourri Friday at 2805!
amazing! i absolutely love it!
Newest follower here!
So beautiful..love blue toile. I'm restraining myself this time...
Linda at French Hen's Nest
Blue and white! such a relaxing color combination. I can feel the lightness of your room. For sure, you will always have a great morning everyday because your relaxing room.
Oh my, oh my, ohmigawd, that is my perfect dream bedroom!!!!!
I am in heaven!!!!
I HAVE to show this to my interior designer -
oHHHH, SO beautiful it brings tears to my eyes:)


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My first proof in Isabelle
One of the distinctive differences between academic institutions in the United States and in Great Britain is the supplementary learning outside of lectures. We have recitations in the US, which are something like extra lectures, while in the UK they have tutorials, or supervisions as they are called in Cambridge parlance. As always, they are something of a mixed bag: some supervisors are terrible, others are merely competent, and others inspire and encourage a sort of interest in the subject far beyond the outlines of the course.
Nik Sultana, our Logic and Proof supervisor, is one of these individuals. For our last supervision, on something of a whim (egged on by us, the supervisees), he suggested we attempt to prove the following logical statement in Isabelle, the proof assistant that he has been doing his research with.
I first worked out the sequent calculus proof for the statement (left as an exercise for the reader), and then I grabbed Isabelle, downloaded the manual, fired up Proof General, and began my very first proof in Isabelle.
Syntax. The first problem I had was getting a minimal theory to compile. This was because Isabelle requires you to always have an imports line, so I provided Main as an import.
I then tried proving a trivial theory, A --> A and got tripped by stating "by (impI)" instead of "by (rule impI)" (at this point, it was still not clear what 'rule' actually did).
I tried proving another theory, conj_rule, straight from the documentation, but transcribed the Unicode to ASCII wrong and ended up with a theory that didn't match the steps they did. (This was one annoying thing about reading the manual, though I understand why they did it.) Eventually I realized what was wrong, and decided to actually start the proof:
lemma "(ALL x. ~ P x --> Q x) & (EX x. ~ Q x) --> (EX x. P x)"
I first tried non-dot notation, but that failed to syntax check so I introduced dots for all bound variables.
Semantics. The proof was simple:
by blast
But that was cheating :-)
At this point, I felt pretty out-of-the-water: Isabelle uses a natural deduction system, whereas (through my studies) I had the most experience reasoning with equivalences, the sequent calculus, or the tableau calculus (not to mention I had a sequent calculus proof already in hand). As it would turn out, removing the quantifiers would look exactly like it would in normal sequent calculus, but I hadn't realized it yet.
I stumbled around, blindly applying allE, allI, exE and exI to see what they would. I hadn't realized the difference between rule, drule and erule yet, so occasionally I'd apply a rule and get a massive expansion in subgoals, and think to myself, "huh, that doesn't seem right."
Finally, reading backwards from the universals section, I realized that ==> was a little different from -->, representing a meta-implication that was treated specially by some rules, so I converted to it:
-- "Massage formula" apply (rule impI)
Once again, I tried applying the universal rules and generally didn't manage to make the formula look pretty. Then I looked more closely at the Isabelle examples and noticed they used [| P; Q |], not P & Q on the left hand side of ==>, so I found the appropriate rule to massage the formula into this form (the semicolon is the sequent calculi's colon). I then realized that there was this thing erule, although I still thought you simply applied it when the rule had an E at the end:
apply (erule conjE)
Proof. Everyone loves coding by permuting, so I permuted through the rules again. This time, exE seemed to keep the formula simple, and after a few seconds of head-scratching, would have also been the right thing to do in a sequent calculus proof. I also realized I was doing backwards proof (that is, we take our goals and break them down into subgoals), and suddenly the implication statements in the manual made a lot more sense (look at the right side, not the left!):
apply (erule exE)
This next step took a while. I was fairly easily able to apply (erule allE), which eliminated the universal on the right side of the equation, but it introduced a fresh skolem function and that didn't seem like what I wanted. I also knew that I should theoretically be able to eliminate the right-hand-side existential, but couldn't figure out what rule I should use. Trying the usual rules resulted in nonsense, though I think at this point I had figured out when to use the various variants of rule. Eventually, I reread the substituting a variable explicitly section of the manual, cargo-culted the drule_tac syntax, and it worked!
apply (drule_tac x = "x" in spec)
Experienced Isabellers will have realized that I could eliminate the right exists, but since I had concluded that this was not possible, I went on a detour. I decided to try combining some of the my assumptions to get some useful conclusions. Right now the proof state was:
!!x. [| ~ Q x; ~ P x -> Q x |] ==> (EX x. P x)
I felt I ought to be able to get P x on the left-hand side, and then apply some existential rule because of the true statement P x ==> (EX x. P x). But none of the implication rules or modus ponens applied properly. I also tried swapping over the assumption and goal using contrapositive:
!!x. [| ~ (EX x. P x); ~ P x -> Q x |] ==> Q x
Actually, I had wanted the implication on the right side. Nevertheless, the existential was on the left, so I should have been able to eliminate it... except there was a negation so the rule failed.
More reading revealed that I could use some special syntax to make the implication go on the right side:
!!x. [| ~ Q x; ~ (EX. P x) |] ==> ~ (~ P x -> Q x)
But once again, the conditional prevented me from doing my evil plan of destructing the implication and deriving a contradiction in the assumptions.
So I went back, played some more, and eventually figured out that to eliminate an existential from the goal side, you introduce it (backwards!) And I also found out that _tac could work for basically any rule:
apply (rule_tac x = "x" in exI)
At this point it was a simple propositional proof to prove, and my previous adventures with contraposative gave me an idea how to do it:
apply (erule contrapos_np) by (drule mp)
Sweet. After I finished the proof, I went back and removed the tacs and checked if Isabelle was able to unify the variables itself; it was, but the intermediate proof goals looked uglier so I added them back in. And that concluded my very first proof in Isabelle. It's not much, but it involved enough wandering that I felt quite pleased when I finished. Here's the whole thing:
theory LogicAndProof imports Main begin lemma "(ALL x. ~ P x --> Q x) & (EX x. ~ Q x) --> (EX x. P x)" -- "Massage the formula into a nicer form to apply deduction rules" apply (rule impI) apply (erule conjE) -- "Start introducing the safe quantifiers" apply (erule exE) apply (drule_tac x = "x" in spec) apply (rule_tac x =" x" in exI) apply (erule contrapos_np) by (drule mp)


text:
Sometimes, what we imagine when we think of a specific room can hinder the space's decorative potential. For example, if you see a sofa, loveseat, TV entertainment center, coffee table and two side tables arranged around the walls when you hear the phrase "living room," you might be limiting yourself to this boring arrangement.
Even if you have the perfect custom window shades, discount blinds, wall color and area rug, your design could be falling flat if you're not getting creative with your furniture layout. Here's how to liven up your living room arrangement.
1. Ditch your preconceived notions. A living room doesn't have to echo the designs of those pictures you see in interior decor magazines. It's your house and your space - do whatever YOU want with it!
2. Aim to use the space to its fullest. If one type of arrangement simply isn't cutting it, move things around until the room feels right. Take advantage of the shape of the walls, the architectural details and the amount of floor space when you're considering where to move items.
3. Consider how you use the room. Do you typically like to watch TV in there? Do you like having friends over to chat? Is it an impromptu dining room for informal family dinners? Once you figure out how you usually spend time in the room, you should be able to decide on decorative choices that make your activities even better.
4. Don't make the arrangement awkward. For example, would it be weird to have couches in that space next to your kitchen where people would have no choice but to watch the cook? Wouldn't it be strange to walk into a space and have someone's back turned to you when they're sitting on a couch? Keep in mind how the arrangement would make guests feel.


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Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to meet with Kevin Gilroy, SAP's Senior VP and GM for Global Small and Midsize Enterprise Segment & Indirect Channels to hear about SAP's plans to go big in the small and medium business market, which SAP refers to as small and medium enterprises (SMEs). In a nutshell, the vendor is dramatically ramping up market, channel and solution initiatives to boost its profile and market share in SME.
These initiatives come with an interesting twist. Much of what SAP intends to do in the SME space will focus on recruiting partners—from both developer and VAR ranks—who can provide start-up millennial businesses with next generation solutions to help them grow at lightening speed.
The company claims that it is coming at this from a position of strength, with 80% of its 253,000 customers coming from the SME ranks. But, SAP's defines SMEs, as companies with revenues under $1 billion, which skews larger than how most vendors and analysts define it. So what shape will SAP's new SME initiatives take?
Sharpening the SME Lens
To put things in context, SAP's courtship of SME isn't new. As I discussed in Top SMB Takeaways: SAP Sapphire 2013, SAP has been sharpening its SME lens for a while. Last year, the vendor announced several new programs to bring the benefits of HANA's data-crunching power to SMEs, provide customers with the choice of running its solutions in public, private or hybrid cloud environments, and to make its solutions easier to buy and use.
As I noted in that post, SAP was focusing these initiatives not at the SME masses, but on high-growth SMEs, which SMB Group call Progressive SMBs. Progressive SMBs are growth driven, and more likely to invest in and use technology to gain market and competitive advantage than other SMBs. Our data shows that Progressive SMBs are also much more likely to anticipate revenue gains than peers whose tech investments are flat or declining.
Now, SAP is further sharpening the lens to zero in on millennials that are starting, running and making decisions in SME companies. According to Gilroy, millenials have a different view on technology than older counterparts. They are more comfortable with technology, and more likely to view it as a growth engine, instead of as a cost-cutter.
With a broad portfolio of cloud, mobile, analytics, ecommerce, talent management and ERP solutions, SAP offers many entry points for these SMEs. The vendor has made some key acquisitions, including Ariba for ecommerce, and Success Factors for talent management, that broaden its footprint in the born on the cloud solution space. SAP has also introduced cloud-based options for many of its traditional on-premises solutions, such as SAP Business One. SMEs often prefer cloud solutions because they can usually be deployed faster, with less technical expertise and without big upfront capital expenditures, paving they way for SAP and its partners to expand their addressable market.
Furthermore, SAP is infusing HANA into its SME offerings, announcing general availability of the 9.0 version of the SAP® Business One application, version for SAP HANA. This is the first business management solution for SMEs running on SAP's in-memory HANA computing platform. It enables SMEs to analyze structured and unstructured information within seconds instead of days, and use predictive analytics to gain new insights into data and optimize business decision-making.
Powering Up Partner Programs
SAP is powering up partner recruitment to fuel SME expansion. The vendor recruited 500 partners in 2013, growing the partner base to more than 11,500 worldwide, with about 1,000 in the U.S. Gilroy indicated that SAP is planning for double-digit channel growth, but will take a selective recruiting tack. In addition to looking for partners with a next-generation development vision, such as Liquid Analytics, SAP wants partners that are ready to scale their businesses to keep pace with SAP's double-digit growth in SME.
The vendor has introduced and refreshed several programs to help partners go to market more effectively, including:
- SAP Marketing University, a free, foundational marketing program to empower partners with the marketing skills they need to grow their businesses. SAP indicates the program has already led to over $1 billion in lead generation activities. Once partners have gone through the program, SAP provides them with the same marketing assets that are available to its internal marketing and sales teams.
- Partner involvement in SAP's Run Like Never Before ad campaign, launched in October of 2013. To data, more than 200 partners have taken executed campaigns as part of this program, which is 100% MDF reimbursable.
- New "buy now, pay later" SME financing options that give SMEs zero-percent financing for up to 24 months for the purchase of any SAP product on the reseller price list.
We've all seen how quickly innovative, fast-growth SMEs can become marquee brands, from tech sector stars such as LinkedIn to consumer brands such as Green Mountain coffee . SAP sees this too—and that technology is putting the creation-destruction cycle for businesses in hyper-drive.
So SAP's big bet on becoming the leading IT solutions provider for these high-growth SMEs makes sense. As important, SAP is making an authentic effort to consumerize the SAP experience by reducing friction in choosing, buying and using SAP solutions.
But in this noisy SME space, crowded with competitors coveting the same high-growth SMEs, SAP still needs to do more to dispel the long-standing myth that SAP is only a big business brand. Although SAP solutions may be a good fit for high-growth SMEs, the vendor isn't a household name with them or the millenials that its is seeking out.
SAP will also need to be cautious not to overplay the millennial hand. While millenials are likely to be more digitally savvy than older generations, the U.S. Small Business Administration says that self-employment among younger age groups has actually been dropping. From 2005 to 2010, self-employment among individuals age 25 and under decreased 19 percent, compared to a 7 percent drop in the overall population. In reality, self-employment rates increase with age. For example, they were 2 percent for those 25 and under and 23 percent for those 65 and over in 2010. Simply stated, while millenials may prove to apply technology in business in more innovative ways, they are a relatively small part of the entrepreneurial population.
However, SAP is moving in the right direction. As it increases its investment to understand and engage with SMEs, SAP can continue to fine-tune its SMB story, and widen the circle of high-growth SMEs that will hear it and relate to it.


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Salivary glands
Published on Digestive system, Glands.
Saliva, which is fluid, diluted, and plentiful, keeps the mouth moist. A dry mouth is characteristic of someone who is experiencing fear or tension. More concentrated saliva is used for digesting food.
When the salivary glands become infected it is as if the person were saying: "I had all I needed to feed myself and, at the last minute, they took my food away."
The person with stones in the salivary glands is an individual who forces himself to be super efficient so that no one will take the food out of his mouth. Mumps play a role here and translate a child's fear: "Will the ones in charge allow me to continue doing what I was doing?" Mumps is just one of many child illnesses. Again, it is important to remember that children do not deal well with the type of repression that society and families impose on them recurrently. It is good to look into family dynamics, particularly where the freedom of children is concerned. Are the rules too strict, excessively harsh?


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I am writing a 2d game in java. The game mechanics are similar to the Pokémon game boy advance series e.g. fire red, ruby, diamond and so on.
I need a way to draw a huge map maybe 5000 by 5000 pixels and then load individual in game sprites to across the entirety of the map, like rendering a scene. Game sprites would be things like terrain objects, trees, rocks, bushes, also houses, castles, NPC's and so on. But i also need to implement some kind of camera view class that focuses on the player. the camera view class needs to follow the characters movements throughout the game map but it also needs to clip the rest of the map away from the user's field of view, so that the user can only see the arbitrary proximity adjacent to the player's sprite. The proximity's range could be something like 500 pixels in every direction around the player's sprite. On top of this, i need to implement an independent resolution for the game world so that the game view will be uniform on all screen sizes and screen resolutions.
I know that this does sound like a handful and may fall under the category of multiple questions, but the questions are all related and any advice would be very much appreciated. I don't need a full source code listing but maybe some pointers to effective java API classes that could make doing what i need to do a lot simpler. Also any algorithmic/ design advice would greatly benefit me as well.
example of what i am trying to do in source code form below
package myPackage;
* The Purpose of GameView is to: Render a scene using Scene class, Create a
* clipping pane using CameraView class, and finally instantiate a coordinate
* grid using Path class.
* Once all of these things have been done, GameView class should then be
* instantiated and used jointly with its helper classes. CameraView should be
* used as the main drawing image. CameraView is the the window to the game
* world.Scene passes data constantly to CameraView so that the entire map flows
* smoothly. Path uses the x and y coordinates from camera view to construct
* cells for path finding algorithms.
public class GameView {
// Scene is a helper class to game view. it renders the entire map to memory
// for the camera view.
Scene scene;
// Camera View is a helper class to game view. It clips the Scene into a
// small image that follows the players coordinates.
CameraView Camera;
// Path is a helper class to game view. It observes and calculates the
// coordinates of camera view and divides them into Grids/Cells for Path
// finding.
Path path;
// this represents the player and has a getSprite() method that will return
// the current frame column row combination of the passed sprite sheet.
Sprite player;